Adjustable widening attachment for concrete-road finishers



March 13, 1928. 1,662,257

F. VALERIO ADJUSTABLE WIDENING ATTACHMENT FOR CONCRETE ROAD FINISHERS Filed March 16, 1927 s Sheets-Sheetl v swam riot March 13; 1928.

F. VALERIO ADJUSTABLE WIDENING ATTACHMENT FOR CONCRETE ROAD FINISHERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1927 March 13, 1928.

F. VALERIO ADJUSTABLE WIDENING ATTACHMENT FOR CONCRETE ROAD FINISHERS Filed March 16, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 93 llllllllllllllllllllllll PATENT OFFICE.

rmonsco VALERIO, or smmronn, connnc'rroucr.

ADJUSTABLE WIDENING ATTACHMENT FOR CONCRETE-ROAD IINISHERS.

Application filed March 16, 1827. Serial Nth-175,799.

This invention relates to a concrete road finisher such as is employed for finishing the surface of concrete roads.

The present day concrete road must be accurately and carefully constructed and the surface must be very carefully finished. A machine has been developed for spreading the concrete and finishing the surface which is mounted on wheels to run on rails at the opposite sides of the concrete block forming the vroad, the rails being the outer retaining means for the concrete while it is setting. This machine spreads the concrete evenly and finishes the surface to the proper curvature by means of reciprocating screeds. This machine works very satisfactory on the straight sections of the road and may be used on the curves if the same width is maintained on the curve as on the straightaway, but itis now common practice to widen the road somewhat on. the curves to give more width and thus more clearance between the vehicles going around the curves. Therefore, this machine in such road constructions can be used only on the straightaways, and the curves must be-finished by hand, and it is further required to in some manner transport the machine fro-m one end or the curve to the other before it can again be employed. Obviously this greatly re duces the usefulness of the machine, making the road construction more expensive as a large part of some roads are in the curves, and requires a considerable force of men.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a machine of this type which can be adjusted for different widths and while running, so that the machine may' not only be used on the straightaways, but equally as well on the curves, even though they are widened and the change in width is gradual.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine of this type which may be used on different widths of roadways.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a road finishing machine embodying my invention.

Fi 2 is a front elevation thereof with certain parts broken away to more clearly show the construction.

s- 3 is a r P an vie i 91 and 9 themachine showing the adjusting mechanism and on a somewhat larger scale.

Fig. 4 is an endelevation thereof looking from the right of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. detail elevation of a section of the frame members.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section thereof.

Figs. 7 and 8 are a longitudinal section and a transverse section respectively of an adjustable shaft used in this mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail elevation at the end of the machine shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. .10 is a top plan view of a portion of a screed and the strikcofi' plate, a portion being broken away to more clearly show the construction, and a Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 12 represents two rails on opposite sides of the road, these two rails being used to retrain the concrete, which, it will be understood, fills the space between these two rails. The surface finishing machine is mounted to run along these two rails and comprises a frame including transverse members comprising upper and lower beams 13 and 14, in the present instance in the form of channel members connected at their opposite ends to end beams 15 and 16 also channel members. The end beam 16 is also connected to a similar and parallel beam 17 by means of cross members 18, and these beams form the end members of theframe at one end thereof. At the opposite end are two similar beams 19 and 20 connected in a similar manner by cross members 21 and form the other end members of the frame. These two end portions of the frame are supported on wheels 22 and 23 which run on the rails 12.

Mounted at the front and rear of the frame are the screeds 24 and 25. These screeds in the present form each comprises a. channel beam 26 lying with its flat side horizontal and carried by means of supporting bolts 27 hung from clips 28 adjustably mounted on the top of the supporting I- beam 29, and the I-beam is suspended by underslung straps 30 suspended by chains 31 from a pivoted crank 32 by means of which the screeds may be elevated or lowered to working position. The forward screed channel also carries a strikeoif plate 33 on which it is mounted by means of bolts 34 in holes or slots 35 adjacent the lower edge of this plate. As w ll e seen from F g 2 a d 1 the screed channel and the strikeoff plate may be curved to give the proper crown to the road surface.

Means is provided for driving the wheels 23 to advance the machine or move it backward when desired, preferably a power means, and this same power means is employed to reciprocate the sereeds back and forth to finish the concrete surface. This power means is indicated as a gasoline motor 36 driving a pinion 37 meshing with a gear 38 on a drive shaft 39. This shaft has a pinion 4O meshing with a gear 41 on a short shaft 42 carrying a pinion 43 meshing with a gear 44 on a shaft 45. This shaft has a pinion 46 meshing with a gear 47 on a shaft 48 which has driving connection at its opposite ends with the wheels 23 by means of chains 49 running over suitable sprockets 50 and 51 connected to the shaft and the wheels respectively. At the opposite ends of the shaft 48 are clutches 52 controlled through hand levers 53 and 54.- respectively for the wheels at the opposite ends of the frame, so that if desired driving connection to the wheels at one end may be disconnected so as to advance one end of the machine faster than the other. The hand lever 53 is connected to its clutch 52 through a rod 55 and a lever 56, while the lever 5t is connected to its clutch by a rod 57 and a lever 58. The main drive shaft 39 also carries a pinion 59 meshing with a gear 60 on the shaft 15. This gear Wlll drive the shaft t5 in the opposite direction, and therefore, will reverse the drive wheels 23 to move the machine backwardly, and it will be apparentthat the ratios of these two drives may be different, it. being preferred to make the ratio smaller for the reverse movement so that the backward speed will be greater than the forward speed. The shaft 39 connects with two clutches (i1 and 62 controlled by a lever 63 connected to the clutches through a rod 64: and lever (35. By operating this lever either clutch may be thrown into operation moving the machine forwardly or backwardly at will. Also the shaft 39 has a clutch (56 controlled by lever 67 connected by the rod 68 to the clutch lever 69. This clutch controls the operation of the pinion 7O meshing with a gear 71 on a shaft carrying a beveled pinion 72 meshing with a beveled gear 73 on a transverse shaft 74. This shaft carries cranks 75 connected by connecting rods 76 with bell crank rocking levers 77, the other arms of the levers being connected by connecting rods 78 to the screed beams 29 through brackets 79. It will be apparent that as the shaft 74 is rotated the screeds will be reciprocated back and forth to finish the surface of the concrete.

The shaft 45 may be connected through either of two clutches 80 or 81 to drive a pinion 82 meshing with a gear 83 on a shaft 84. These clutches 80 and 81 are controlled by lever 85 connected to a hand lever 86 adjacent the operators position, and this shaft 84 has a sprocket 87 connected through a chain drive 88 to a sprocket 89 carried by the movable end frame 19 and 29. This sprocket drives other sprockets 91) connected by a chain drive 91 to sprockets 92 on adjusting screws 93. These screws are mounted in bearings 94; carried by the end member 19 and are held against longitudinal movement in these hearings by collars 95. These screws have threaded engagement with nuts 99 secured to the end beam 15 of the frame so that as the screws are rotated the action of the threads in the nuts will shift the screws in or out and with them the end frame members 19 and 20 and the elements carried thereby, and it will be obvious that this l'novimient will move the wheels 22 and 23 carried by these end members toward and from the wheels on the other end of the machine, and therefore, will permit the machine to run on differently spaced rails 12. Furthermore, this adjustment may be made while the machine is moving either forwardly or backwardly, and therefore, the adjustment may be gradual to correspond with the gradual change in the distance between the rails 12 as the width of the road is gradually increased or decreased either going around a curve or at any other time.

To permit this adjustment, however, it will be obvious there must be some adjustable conncction between the elements carried by the adjustable end members of the frame and the members carried by the remaining portion of the frame. For this purpose the drive shaft 48 for the wheels 23 and th drive shaft 84 are made in telescoping sections, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the outer section being providedwith a longitudinally extending square opening in which an inner section 97 or 98 may slide longitudinally. the square shape forming a positive drive between the two sections. The outer section has no longitudinal movement but merely has rotary movement in suitable bearings 99 and 100, while the inner sections 97 and 98 run in bearings 101 and 102 respectively on the movable section of the frame. These sections move in or out with this portion of the frame as it is adjusted by the screws 93. and therefore. maintain driving connection between the shaft 48 and the drive wheels 23, and the shaft 84 and the adjusting screws 93. through all positions of adjustment.

The frame members 13 and 14 should also include adjustable sections to allow for lengthening or shortening of these beams during the adjustin movement. This construction is shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 9. The lower channel beam 14 carries studs 103 spaced at suitable distances running in slots 104 in a third channel beam 105 within the channel beam 14 and permanently connected at one end, as indicated at 106, to the beams 19 and 20 of. the movable section of the frame. The top and bottom flanges of the beam 105 run on rollers 107 carried by the upper channel 13 and the lower channel 14 to permit a free movement between the channel 105 and the supporting channel.

It is also desirable that the screed beams and the strikeofi' plate should also be adjustable to allow for adjustment of the frame, although'for relatively small movements of the end section of the frame these members may be made of sufiicient length to compensate for adjustment of the end section. It is preferred, however, to provide them each with adjustable means. In Figs. 10 and 11 the I-beams 29 are shown in section and connected by two plates 108. These plates are permanently connected at one end, as shown at 109, to one section and are provided with sets of openings 110 at suitably spaced distances, say every six inches, adapted to receive bolts 111 for securing to the other section of the I-beam. Thus as the end section of the machineis adjusted in or out it may be run until adjustment of the screed is desired. The machine may then bestopped and the screed beams either lengthened or shortened by shifting the plates 108 and securing them through another set of openings in the beam or plates, thus either lengthening or shortening the beam as desired. This can be conveniently accomplished because the movement of the machine in finishing of the road surface is very slow, and also the change in the width is very gradual. The strikeofi plate 33 is also adjusted the same way by being made in sections and having a filling section 112 permanently secured to one of the main sections. It has similar openings or slots 35 in its lower edge and is provided with a plurality of sets of openings for bolts 113 for securing them to the other section of the strikeoff plate to adjust this plate to correspond with the adjustment of the screed beam. Thus the space between the sections of the strikeoff plate will be filled by the filling section 112, in eifect making this a continuous plate which is adjustable to correspond with the adjustments in the length of the machine. There is also an adjustable connection between the rod 54: controlling the right hand clutch 52 and its hand lever 54. This rod may have a series of openings 116 suitably spaced by which it may be connected to the a lever 54 at different points by a suitable pin as the machine is lengthened or shortened.

The machine includes a rear platform 114 to give access to the varied elements of the machine by the operators, and also has an end platform or step 115 for an operator Where the various operating levers are easily accessible, and he may from this step operate levers 53, 54, 63 and 67 for controlling forward or backward movements of the machine as above described, the speed of the movement of the opposite ends of the machine and the adjustments either in or out of the movable end 1920 of the machine. It will be apparent that with this machine its field of operation is not limited to the strai ht portions of the road of uniform widt but it is equally adapted for finishing the curved sections of the-road even where the width of the road varies throughout this curved section. It is, therefore, not necessary to resort to hand finishing for the curved sections of the road, or to stop the operation of the machine when a curve is reached and then remove it and jack it around to the next straight section on the other side of the curve. On the other hand the operation of the machine is continuous whether the road is straight or curved, and

whether it is of uniform or varying width.

'Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a road finishing machine, a frame, wheels for carrying said frame mounted to run on rails at opposite sides of the road being finished, means for mounting one set of wheels so that they are shiftable laterally toward and from the other set to run on differently spaced rails, means for driving the wheels to advance the machine, and means operated by said driving means to shift said adjustable set of wheels laterally to permit the machine to run on differently spaced rails.

2. In a road finishing machine, a frame comprising two sections connected together by adjustable connections, supporting wheels for the two sections, means for driving the wheels for moving the machine, one or more screws carried by one of the sections and having threaded connection with the other section, and means for driving the screw to adjust the sections relatively to each other.

3. In a road finishingmachine, a frame comprising two sections connected together by adjustable connections, a set of supporting wheels for each section, a power means, independently controlled connections from the power means to wheels for the respective sections, one or more screws carried by one of the sections and having threaded connection with the other section, a driving connection from the power means to said screw or screws, andmeans for controlling said driving connection.

4.'In a road finishing machine, a frame having front and rear transverse beams comprising sections having sliding connections with each other, longitudinal beams connecting the beam sections and thus forming frame sections adjustable relatively to each other, supporting wheels for the sections, a motor on one of the "sections, drive means from the motor to wheels on the respective sections, an independent manual control for the drivin means for each section, means for adjusting the sections toward and from each other to vary the distance between the wheels of one section and those of the other section, a driving connection from the motor to said adjusting means, and a manual control for said driving connection. 7

5. A device of the character described comprising a unit structure of connected but relatively extensible supporting members, vehicle propelling means therefor, means carried by said unit structure for actuating said propelling means, protraetable supporting means connecting the separable members of said unit structure, rotatable screw distending means carried b one section of said structure having threa ed connection with the other section of said structure arranged to protract and retract the extensible member of said structure to cover increased areas of operating surfaces and to return same to normal operatin surfaces, and means operative from sai actuating means for automatically extending such member to cover divers variations in the width of road beds due to curves and turns therein and the varying side contours of same.

6. A device of the character described comprising a unit structure composed of connccted members, one thereof being a main section and the other thereof being an extensible section, wheels carried by and supporting said sections arranged to act as supporting means for engagement with guide rails. a motive power generating means carried by said unit structure adapted to propel same upon said guide rails, means carried by both of said sections arranged as supporting structure therefore having formed therein interengaging means to permit of the extension of one section to and from the other of said sections to cover varying widths of surface operation, automaticall controlled means carried by both sections in said unit structure for protracting and retracting said extensible section, means for actuating said protracting and retracting mechanism from said power generating means, means for controlling said protracting and retracting mechanism from one or a common point, screed mechanism carried by said unit structure, and means for actuating said screed mechanism to effect operation upon the surfaces of a roadbed within the areas covered by said unit structure including 'the increased surfaces over which said extensible section is extended.

- 7. A device of the character described including a road finishin apparatus comprising a structure embodying connected sections, one of\which is extensible with relation to the other thereof, supporting means combining said sectionspermitting the adjustment of said extensible section toward and away from the main section of which same forms a unitary part, mechanism connecting the relative sections in the unit structure arranged for rotation to effect the adjustment of the elements forming the structure, wheels carried by each section in the structure upon which said apparatus is propelled, a power generating source, means for driving said wheels, means for actuating said mechanism to protract said extensible section to cover varying widths of road bed on parallel contours and curved contours, means for controlling all of said mechanism from one or a common point, concrete filling and surfacing mechanism carried by the reltive sections in said unit structure, and means for actuating said filling and surfacing mechanism.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANCESCO VALERIO. 

